Insalata di riso is an inexpensive summer comfort food that is a quintessential meal in every Italian household. It’s light and flavourful, yet filling and so simple to make. With its bold flavours and simple preparation, it typifies classic, rustic Italian fare in every single bite. It can be served as a hearty main dish for a luncheon, or packed up for a picnic at the park or beach. You can enjoy this at any time of the day (except for breakfast, maybe!).
I always associate this rice salad with summer vacations spent in Sardinia, Italy. The familiar flavours of this summertime meal has become a year-round comfort food for me. I’ve been eating this rice salad for as long as I can remember. It reminds of long days at the beach, sitting under the umbrella eating lunch, and warm summer evenings spent sitting around the table with family and friends. Although the recipe seems basic enough, it lends to variety of interpretations, which makes every single recipe unique and just as delicious as the next. The beauty of this insalata di riso is that you can’t mess it up. I mean, it’s nearly impossible. (That is, unless you don’t know how to cook rice!).
This Italian rice salad is simply boiled rice (specifically parboiled), mixed with a variety of condiments, seasoned with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, sometimes a dollop of mayo, and salt and pepper. Be sure to use good quality extra virgin olive oil in this recipe as it can make or break the recipe. Choose an extra virgin olive oil with a deep green hue for best results.
The traditional insalata di riso recipe calls Condiriso. It’s a delicious blend of preserved vegetables-artichokes, mushrooms, capers, carrots, peas, and more. Most specialty grocery stores stock this item however, if you cannot find it, don’t be deterred from making this recipe. It tastes just as delicious without it!
Over the years I’ve developed my own version of the traditional recipe, and although I have a specific one, the recipe often gets reinvented depending on the availability of seasonal ingredients, or just simply what I’m in the mood for at the time I prepare it. My recipe is only a guideline since insalata di riso is more about the type of preparation as opposed to specific ingredients. In fact, this recipe is totally open to improvisation.
Some delicious ingredients you can add in are: grilled zucchini or eggplant, roasted red peppers, artichokes (canned variety, drained), navy beans or black beans, black or green olives, cubed pieces of prosciutto or cooked ham, Parmesan cheese, smoked salmon, fresh capers, grated mozzarella cheese, pearl onions, canned corn
Serve this insalata di riso cold or at room temperature. Whichever way you prepare or serve it, it’s delicious!
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me onInstagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
Hello delicious! I have never thought to make an Italian rice salad before, but you make it look so easy. I would love to swap out my boring pasta salad side dishes for something like this. It would be really fun to bring this to a BBQ!
A RICE salad?! This would put a fun spin on the same ol’ same ol’ pasta salads we always have at family gatherings.
Exactly! I’ve seen way too many pasta salads at family gatherings!
oh my this looks sooo dang good. you had me at the eggs. I have loved them since I was a kid.
Thanks!
I totally just bookmarked this post! This recipe looks so so good! I love artichokes in anything but this recipe has so many things I love in it…can’t wait to try it!
That’s great! Artichokes (especially pickled) are delicious in this rice salad.
This looks so healthy and delicious. I love rice dishes, rice salads, risottos! Yum!
Me too! I’m a big fan of rice, in general.
This looks so good. I haven’t heard of some of the ingredients. I might have to try this. I’m looking for some new healthy recipes.
You can add just about anything in here…in case you can’t find certain ingredients.
This looks amazing. I’m addicted to the preserved veggies alone, so I can just imagine how much I’d love this dish. Pinned for later!
Me too! I love that vinegary flavour!
Oh I love salad and rice. This looks so good for a cool meal this summer
What an interesting dish, never thought about making something like a rice salad before. Interesting!
My grandmother was Italian and I remember her along with my great grandmother making a salad like this when I was younger. This is a recipe I will have to use for the family gathering this weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Hope this brought back memories for you 😉
Definitely going on my try this summer. It looks so yummy.
This sounds amazing! My hubby loves rice so this would make him so happy! 🙂 I am going to pin this to try out later this summer! 🙂
I need to give this rice salad a try! As an Italian, I am shocked that I have never had it before! Yum!
Have you ever been to Italy? If so, there’s no way you can miss it!
My kids are obsessed with rice! I never thought ot make a salad like this with rice, I know my kids would love it!
This can be so easily personalized…the kids could even choose which ingredients they want in theirs. Just make the rice and then everyone make their own rice salad!
I have to admit I am not a fan of plain salads but this sounds right up my street – I might just have to try it! x
yum! now this looks delicious and is probably something my gestational diet could devour no problems. I will have to see and give it a try. This will for sure be a family favourite.
Perfect timing I find this recipe. I was just telling the hubs the other day I need to step up my lunchtime cooking. Sandwiches day after day…getting a bit old, ya know? I love this! Colorful, fresh and something my ten year old stepdaughter would actually eat!
Exactly! This taste great for days and it tastes good cold or at room temperature.
This sounds like such a delicious salad! I would love to try this rice salad for dinner one night! I’m always looking for easy, convenient meals like this!